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it is not because a tropism return ccr5 only that someone is not carrying an x4.as for the genotype, the probability of detection of a variant decrease for a population under 10%.

not all the virus are using the r5, some are binding to the x4.

in conclusion, if being r5 only lower the risk of getting infected, it is not enough to exclude it.aside hiv, there are still many others disease, including htlv. so still, safer sex is the only option.

OK, so I was just "checking out" <g> a hook-up site last nite and found a profile I thought was interesting...

It was a HIV negative bottom guy looking for bareback tops of any HIV status. He stated in his profile that because "he lacks the CCR5 gene, he cannot be infected." Is that true? Possible?

Everything I've read about people who are homozygous to the delta 32 mutation, i.e. they lack the CCR5 co-receptor, describes them as being "virtually" resistant to HIV-1. Since most virus out there is R5-tropic it would be much more difficult for someone with the delta 32 mutation (as opposed to someone without it) to become poz but it's not impossible.

I don't think there's any way to compute what the actual chances are, one would have to take into account how many times the person has sex and with how many people. If the person is very promiscuous they will eventually come across someone with X4-tropic virus who has enough of a viral load to give them "the gift."

This person described is first and foremost a fetishist. Its not all the unusual to find guys who fetishize HIV - either getting or giving HIV. This person's twist is rather unusual, however.

It could be a totally deluded person, on the other hand.

What would be more interesting is the explanation of what gives that person the extra high - what is it about only HIV+ guys that makes sex exciting. Since presumably he could have unprotected sex with anyone, but is looking specifically for HIV+ guys. Is it some kind of Florence Nightengale bonding? Or is it a perverse punishment - lording superhuman powers over the damned?

I'd stay clear of this person for sex, it's a guaranteed nutcase.

Logged

“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

This person described is first and foremost a fetishist. Its not all the unusual to find guys who fetishize HIV - either getting or giving HIV. This person's twist is rather unusual, however.

It could be a totally deluded person, on the other hand.

What would be more interesting is the explanation of what gives that person the extra high - what is it about only HIV+ guys that makes sex exciting. Since presumably he could have unprotected sex with anyone, but is looking specifically for HIV+ guys. Is it some kind of Florence Nightengale bonding? Or is it a perverse punishment - lording superhuman powers over the damned?

I'd stay clear of this person for sex, it's a guaranteed nutcase.

The OP said this person was looking for any HIV status, not specifically for HIV+ guys. Kinda changes the analysis to one of: (a) he wants to bareback (b) the difference between poz and those who say they are neg is not that important to him considering his genetic makeup. Seems to be the opposite of fetishization here...

I wonder how he got the idea to be genetically tested for CCR5 in the first place.

I seem to remember a guy posting in "Am I" about seven years ago who wanted to know why he wasn't becoming infected despite barebacking with guys he had reason to believe were poz - over many years. He wanted to know how to go about getting a test for the CCR5 gene. He'd read about it on the internet when looking for information on why he wasn't poz. So that's probably a similar route this guy has taken. Who knows, maybe it's even the same guy, although if memory serves, the first guy claimed to be an exclusive top. Go figure. Wonder if he's still neg?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts